ED Case Against Rana Ayyub: SC Asks Ghaziabad Court To Adjourn Proceedings

New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked a special court in Ghaziabad, which has summoned journalist Rana Ayyub in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate, to adjourn the proceedings scheduled for January 27 to a date after January 31.

The apex court said it will hear on January 31 the petition of Ayyub challenging the summons issued to her by the special court.

A bench of Justices Krishna Murari and V Ramasubramanian was informed by advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Ayyub, that the petitioner has been summoned by the Ghaziabad court on January 27.

 List on January 31. In the meantime, the Ghaziabad special court is requested to adjourn the proceedings…fixed for January 27 to a date after January 31,  the bench said.

The top court said this order is being passed because the hearing could not be concluded before it on Wednesday due to paucity of time and it is not a reflection on the merits of the matter.

At the outset, the bench asked why the petition has been filed directly in the apex court.

Grover said Ayyub can't be subjected to the jurisdiction of Uttar Pradesh in the matter which pertains to an alleged offence that was committed in Mumbai.  Can't this question be decided by the jurisdictional high court?  the bench asked.

Grover raised the jurisdictional issue and said the complaint in the matter cannot be filed in a court in Uttar Pradesh as no part of the alleged offence has taken place in this state.